THE WEST COAST.

Otago Witness, Issue 3994, 30 September 1930, Page 30

THE WEST COAST.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

COAL INDUSTRY. September 24. The Railway Department is understood to have restored the orders for coal to the Dobson, Wallsend, and Co-operative mines to within 10 or I's per cent, of what they were before the cut. One company received during the week an order for 350 tons to be consigned to Auckland. The Hon. J. G. Coates has intimated that he will appoint a representative of the Reform Party to attend the conference between the Government and the West Coast delegates on the question of the coal situation. The Grey Valley and Dobson mines, which have worked only three and a-half full days during the past three weeks, have now resumed both shifts. The Stockton mine has reduced to a single shift, the change affecting 50 men. GOLD MINING. It is hoped by the promoters of the Greenland gold mine, nine miles from Ross, to start crushing very soon. A considerable amount of promising stone is in eight. An engine for the battery has recently been conveyed to the site. GREY ACCLIMATISATION SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Grey Acclimatisation Society was held during the past week. The balance sheet showed that the receipts from fishing, game, and opossum licenses had amounted to £BOO, the credit balance at the bank being now £1427. The society’s policy of steadily stocking the streams of the district was reported to be manifestly bearing fruit, a noticeable increase being. evident in the fish seen, and in the number of anglers. Fish caught have ranged tip to 181 b in

weight. Canadian geese were reported to be plentiful in the Lake Brunner district, where flocks of from 20 to 40 were to be seen. Fallow deer and native birds are increasing in all parts of the society's district. In view of the amount of poaching going on it was decided to recommend the appointment of rangers. Officers were eelcted for the ensuing year, Mr P. ’ Beck being elected president. PERSONAL. Mr F. Young, manager of the Commercial Bank of Australia. Ltd., Westport, has received notice of transfer to Auck-

land. Mr A. Torrance, assistant loco foreman at the Greymouth Railway Workshops for the last three and a-half years, has been transfererd to Timaru. Mr Bradshaw has retired from the railway service after 35 years. In each of these cases suitable recognition of their services to the community was made by members of the staff. The sudden death occurred last week at Westport of Mr J. Collins, a retired servant of the Railway Department. He was 70 years of age, and recently celebrated his golden wedding. Mr G. J. Williams, of the Government Geological Department, who has been engaged on a survey at the State mines, has returned to Wellington. Nurse M. Boyd, of the Westland Hospital. has resigned her position in view of her approaching marriage, after three and a-half years’ service. She received a presentation from the matron and staff. GENERAL. The Otira tunnel traffic continues at a comparatively low figure. The tonnage for the past week was 10,493. as compared with 13,710 for 1929 and 12.393 for 1928. A further consignment of 75,000 brown trout fry has been received by the Grey Acclimatisation Society for liberation in , local creeks. For the position of house manager nt the Grey River Hospital 65 applications were received. They will be submitted to the Health Department before the board can deal with them. Farming prospects are reported to be good in South Westland. The winter has been favourable for stock. Beef prices are good. The lambing season has been above the average, and a good freezing season is anticipated. The pastures are looking well. A progress report of the Arnold River hydro works is on the whole satisfactory. Preparations are being made for the diversion of the river through the tunnel. Difficulty is being experienced with the power-house, which has required deep excavations. and with only a few feet to complete it water is getting in. Seventytwo men are employed at present, and the contractors expect to have the whole of the work completed in February. At a meeting of the Power Board the revenue report indicated an income for four months of £12,729, and an expenditure of £8999, the result being £2311 better than the estimate. During file past month 37 new consumers have been connected, and the total is now 2269. If it can secure a suitable piece of ground now belonging to the Railway Department the directors of the Arthur’s Pass National Park intend to plant at Arthur’s Pass a rock garden containing representative specimens of the flora of the park. The Public Works Department is about to erect a new bridge over the Three-mile Creek on the Arahura road, near Hokitika. A temporary bridge is being built for use "in the meantime, and will probably be required for perhaps two years.

An effort is being made by’ the chairman of the Greymouth Chamber of Commerce to induce the Trades and Commerce Association and the Manufacturers’ Association to hold a display in Greymouth during the next Show Week. The completion of the direct line telephone between Greymouth and Westport, to be used as an emergency line, is to be shortly undertaken by the bridging of the remaining gap of 18 miles between Barrytown and Tiromoana, on the Coast road route.

The ill-fortunte which has attended the shipping ventures in the southern portion of the district has been repeated in the stranding of the ketch Elsie, which ran ashore laGt week nine miles from Bruce Bay. The question of abandoning her is to be submitted to the directors.

The district manager of Public Vv orks, who has returned from a visit of inspection to South Westland, gives a favourable report of road construction Ul l i / a ~, .s The road from Weheka to Stillwater is being done as an unemployed relief work, and is well adVa j C x?’ tv .section between Weheka and the Fox River has been formed and metalled, and that from the Fox to the Cook Rivers has been formed. It is expected that the whole distance will ba formed by the end of the year. Several biidges remain to be built. The whole of the road from Greymouth to Weheka he i eports to be in good order. General widening of the road and easing of curves have been effected.